Match Report
The table gap was wide: 15 points between Oman (2nd, 15 pts) and Bhutan (4th, 0 pts). The last five rounds placed Bhutan no better than 23rd for form, against 4th in the standings. Against a league average of 1.69 goals per team per game, Bhutan ran at 0.33 scored and 6.5 conceded, Oman at 4.67 and 0.83.
Defeat had followed defeat for Bhutan — nine in succession. Bhutan had banked 0 of the last 15 points on offer; Oman, 10.
Changlimithang National Stadium in Thimphu staged the fixture, a ground that holds 65,000. Half-time and full-time told different stories: it was 0-0 at the break, before 6 more goals closed it at 2-4.